SESAC celebrated its songwriters and music publishers behind the year's most-performed country and Americana songs at the company's annual Nashville Music Awards, Sunday 11/10 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Justin Ebach was named SESAC's Songwriter of the Year for the second time, with his hits from the past year including "Good Girl" recorded by Dustin Lynch and "Here Tonight" recorded by Brett Young.

Luke Combs' "Beautiful Crazy"—the longest running #1 Country Airplay song of 2019—was named SESAC Song of the Year. The song was co-written by Wyatt Durrette III and published by Rosest Music.

Warner Chappell Music took home Publisher of the Year.

Dustin Lynch was on hand to present Ebach with his award for Songwriter of the Year, and Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year awards were presented by SESAC executives Shannan Hatch and Sam Kling. Eric Church surprised his co-writer, Ray Wylie Hubbard, as he presented him with the award for his song “Desperate Man.”

Blanco Brown kicked off the ceremony with a performance of "The Git Up," followed by Jimmie Allen providing a piano rendition of "Best Shot" alongside co-writer Josh London. Ray Wylie Hubbard took the stage to perform Erich Church's "Desperate Man," which he co-wrote with Church.

Pictured above celebrating Songwriter of the Year are (L-R) SESAC VP of Creative Services Shannan Hatch, Dustin Lynch, Justin Ebach, SESAC Sr. Director Creative Services E.T. Brown and SESAC Sr. Director Creative Services Lydia Schultz.